They were formed in late 1980 by Dave Graney on lead vocals, Clare Moore on drums and Steve Miller on guitar, all from punk group the Sputniks.
[1][2] The band were signed by Bruce Milne and Greta Moon to their Au Go Go label in 1981, and Carmen was replaced on bass guitar by Chris Walsh (ex-the Negatives).
[1][2] A six-track EP, Engine Shudder, appeared in January 1983, co-produced by Van Vugt with Tony Cohen and Chris Thompson.
[1][2] Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane felt Turner provided "his squalling guitar work to the band's unnerving, avant-garage rock noise.
"[1] In October 1983, the Moodists relocated to London at the behest of the Red Flame label, which had released an extended version of Engine Shudder with "Gone Dead" added.
[2] McFarlane declared "[it] drew favourable reviews, although the fickle UK music press tended to harp on about The Birthday Party comparisons.
"[1] By that time, Walsh had returned to Australia, and been replaced by David McClymont, previously a member of Scottish band Orange Juice.
[2][4] In 2003, a compilation double CD, Two Fisted Art, was released on the W.Minc label[2] – run by Miller with Graham Lee – and the band reformed for a limited number of live performances in Melbourne.